Key holder



June 13, 1933. YANKOVITCH 1,914,318

KEY HOLDER Filed Nov. 23, 1932 Hfl, INYENTOR WITNESSES Boghiclaw .11, 1672760035070 /m- W W #60 L ATTORNFTIIS Fatented June 13, 1933 UNHTED STATES PATENT @FFE'CE KEY HOLDER Application filed November 23, 1932. Serial No. 644,128.

This invention relates to a key holder for accommodating a plurality of keys, the principal object in view being to provide a holder which is so constructed that the keys may be thrown from a housed position to positions exposed from the casing whereby the several keys will always assume predetermined spaced radial relations so that the user will know which key is which by the relative positions thereof.

The invention further resides in a key holder of the character set forth which embodies means for frictionally retaining the keys in their housed or exposed positions, which fric- T tional retention means may be readily released manually when it is desired to swing the keys to the diflerent positions.

The invention further contemplates a key holder equipped with means for facilitating the association with and disassociation of the keys from the holder.

Other objects of the invention reside in the provision of a key holder which is comparatively simple in its construction and mode of use, inexpensive to manufacture and which is highly efficient for its intended purpose.

With the above recited and other objects in view, reference is made to the following specificat-ion and accompanying drawing, in which there are illustrated several preferred embodiments of the invention, while the claims mark out and define the actual scope thereof.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the key holder showing the keys exposed therefrom and arranged in their predetermined spaced radial relations.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view on an enlarged scale, taken approximately on the line indicated at 22 in Figure 3.

Figure 3 is an edge view of the holder as viewed from the open side of the casing.

Figure 4 is a collective perspective view of the pivot elements in separated relation.

Figure 5 is an end view of the casing as viewed from the open end thereof.

Figure 6 is a collective perspective view of fragmentary portions of the side walls of the casing, showing the pivot receiving openmgs.

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 3 illustrating a modified form of the invention.

Figure 8 is an end view thereof as viewed from the open end of the casing.

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 3 show- 55 ing a modified form of the invention and with parts broken away to disclose the underlying structure.

Figure 10 is a side View of the form of the invention illustrated in Figure 9.

Referring to the drawing by characters of reference, and particularly to the form of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 6, inclusive, A designates generally the casing which includes spaced parallel front and rear walls 10 and 11, which are preferably, although not necessarily, of elongated tapered configuration having opposite rounded larger and smaller ends 12 and 13. The correspond ing side edges of one side of the walls 10 and 11 of the casing A are closed by a longitudinally extending side wall 14 and the smaller end 13 is closed by an arcuate wall 15 while the remaining side is left open as at 16 and the opposite end 12 is provided with an arcuate end wall 17 extending from the front wall 10 rearwar-dly and provided with portions 18, 19, 20 and 21 which are of progressively greater width, defining circumferentially spaced shoulders or stops 22, 23, 24, 25 and 26. A common pivot, which is designated generally by the reference char acter B, extends transversely through the casing and the front and rear walls 10 and 11 at the larger end 12 of the casing and preferably concentric with the curvature of the end. The pivot consists of a pair of mating sections, each including a head 27 and a pair of resilient shanks 28 of quadrant shaped cross section with the apices thereof in close proximity to each other and formed with enlarged free terminals 29 defining at the juncture with the main portions of the shanks, shoulders 30. The front and rear walls are formed with apertures 31 and 32 corresponding to the cross sectional shape of the shanks and designed each to receive one of the shanks of the sections of the pivot B which are interengaged with each other and 100 interlocked by the positioning of the enlarged terminals 29 of the shanks behind the shoulders 30. The enlarged terminals and shoulders prevent unintentional separation and withdrawal of the pivot sections but permit their separation upon the application of sufficient force to spread and spring the terminals past the shoulders 30. It will be observed, particularly from the showing in Figure 5 of the drawing, that the rear wall 11 normally and inherently springs slightly inward, as shown in full lines in the said figure. The construction of the pivot member is such, however, that the exertion of an inward pressure on the heads 27 causes the wall 11 to spring outwardly to the dotted line position in Figure 5.

In use, the keys C, D, E, F and G when positioned on the pivot B are normally crowded together and frictionally held in any position in which they are disposed by the friction, due to the inherent inward flexing of the rear wall 11. \Vith the keys housed in the holder or casing, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the user grasps the heads 27 of the pivot between the thumb and finger and by a rapid throwing motion, the keys will be swung from the housed position to an exposed position through the open side 16. The key C will be stopped in the position shown in Figure 1 by the shoulder 22, the key D by the shoulder 23, the key E by the shoulder 24, the key F by the shoulder 25 and the key G by the shoulder 26. Obviously, the user initiated in the relative position which the keys always assume when thus thrown to the exposed position, selects the desired key and returns the remaining keys to within the holder.

In the modified form of the invention illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, the construction of the holder is identical with that set forth in connection with the previous form, with the exception that in this instance the end wall 17a, instead of being provided with portions 18, 19, 20 and 21 of progressively different sizes providing the definite stop shoulders, is formed with an inclined edge 18a which functions in a similar the keys in predetermined spaced radial positions.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figures 9 and 10 of the drawing, the casing is substantially identical with the form of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 6, inclusive, but in this instance the rear wall 11a, due to its inherent resiliency, tends to spring outwardly to release the friction on the keys. In this instance, the pivot, designated generally by the reference character H, includes a fixed tubular section 35 anchored as at 36 to and protruding inwardly from the front wall 10a and, terminating in spaced relation to the rear wall 11a. The section 35 is interiorly threaded to receive the reduced threaded terminal 37 of the shank 38 of the other section which capacity to definitely locate is formed with a kerfed head 39. In this instance, a slide 40 is provided which is slotted as at 41 to accommodate the shank 38, and the slide has inclined or wedge shaped portions 42 which cooperate with the head upon movement in one direction, to urge the rear wall 11a inwardly into frictional engagement with. the keys. When moved in the opposite direction, the wall 11a is permitted to spring outwardly and release the keys. In order to prevent turning movement of the slide and to guide the same, an outstruck portion 43 of the rear wall 11a engages in the slot ll.

While there have been illustrated and described several preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that this is not intended as a limitation upon the scope of the appended claims, which are intended to cover other various modifications.

Vhat is claimed is 1. A key holder including a casing open at the side and at one end, a common pivot extending transversely of the casing adjacent the open end for mounting a plurality of keys to permit by a. throw of the casing, the swinging of the keys through the open side and end of the casing to a position exposed therefrom, said openend of the casing being so constructed as to cause the keys to assume a predetermined spaced radial relation when thrown from the casing.

2. A key holder including a casing open at the side and at one end, a common pivot extending transversely of the casing adjacent the open end for mounting a plurality of keys to permit by a throw of the casing, the swinging of the keys through the open side and end of the casing to a position exposed therefrom and means adjacent the pivot for causing the keys to assume predetermined spaced radial relations when thrown to the exposed position.

3. A. key holder including a casing open at the side and at one end, a common pivot extending transversely of the casing adjacent the open end for mounting a plurality of keys to permit by a throw of the casing, the swinging of the keys through the open side and end of the casing to a position exposed therefrom.

means adjacent the pivot for causing the keys to assume predetermined spaced radial relations when thrown to the exposed position and means for frictionally holding the keys in their various positions.

4. A key holder including a casing open at the side and at one end, a common pivot extending transversely of the casing adjacent the open end for mounting a plurality of keys to permit by a throw of the casing, the swinging of the keys through the open side and end of the casing to a position exposed therefrom, means adjacent the pivot for causing the keys to assume predetermined spaced radial relations when thrown to the exposed position and manually controlled means for frictionally holding the keys in their various positions.

5. A key holder including a casing open at the side and at one end, a common pivot extending transversely of the casing adjacent the open end for mounting a plurality of keys to permit by a throw of the casing, the swinging of the keys through the open side and end of the casing to a position exposed therefrom, means adjacent the pivot for causing the keys to assume predetermined spaced radial relations when thrown to the exposed position and manually releasable resilient means for normally holding the keys in their various positions frictionall 6. A key holder including a casing open at the side and at one end, a common pivot extending transversely of the casing adjacent the open end for mounting a plurality of keys to permit by a throw of the casing, the swing ing of the keys through the open side and end of the casing to a position exposed therefrom and stepped portions formed at the open end of the casing defining laterally and circumferentially spaced shoulders for causing the keys to assume predetermined spaced radial relations when thrown to the exposed position.

7. A key holder including a casing having front and rear walls and one side wall and one end wall and open at the remaining side and end, a comimon pivot extending transversely of the casing adjacent the open end for mounting a plurality of keys to permit by a throw of the casing, the swinging of the keys through the open side and end of the casing to a position exposed therefrom and means at the open end of the casing for causing the keys to assume predetermined spaced radial relations when thrown to the exposed position.

8. A key holder including a casing having front and rear walls and one side wall and one end wall and open at the remaining side and end, a common pivot extending transversely of the casing adacentthe open end for mountin a plurality of keys to permit by a throw of the casing, the swinging of the keys through the open side and end of the casing to a position exposed therefrom, means at the open end of the casing for causing the keys to assume predetermined spaced radial relations when thrown to the exposed position and means for frictionally holding the keys in their various positions including a resilient portion of the rear wall of the casing normally flexed inwardly to grip the keys and means for manually flexing said rear wall outwardly to release the keys for swinging movement.

9. A key holder including a casing having front and rear walls and one side wall and one end wall and open at the remaining side and end, a common pivot extending transversely of the casing adjacent the open end for mounting a plurality of keys to permit by a throw of the casing, the swinging of the keys through the open side and end of the casing to a position exposed therefrom, means at the open end of the casing for causing the keys to assume predetermined spaced radial relations when thrown to the exposed position and means for frictionally holding the keys in their various positions including a resilient portion of the rear wall of the casing normally flexed inwardly to grip the keys and means for manually flexing said rear wall outwardly to release the keys for swinging movement, said latter means comprising relatively slidable sections of the pivot engageable respectively with the inner surfaces of the front and rear walls.

10. A. key holder including a casing having front ann rear walls and one side wall and one end wall and open at the remaining side and end, common pivot extending transversely of the casing adjacent the open end for mounting a plurality of keys to permit by a throw of the casing, the swinging of the keys through the open side and end of the casing to a position exposed therefrom, means at the open end of the casing for cans in g the keys to assume predetermined spaced radial relations when thrown to the exposed position and means for frictionally holding the keys in their various positions including a resilient portion of the rear wall of the casing normally flexed inwardly to grip the keys and means for manually flexing said rear wall outwardly to release the keys for swinging movement, said latter means comprising relatively slidable sections of the pivot engageable respectively with the inner surf cos of the front and rear walls, said sections being frictionally interengageable and separable to permit of the emplacement of the keys on the pivot and removal of the same therefrom.

11. A key holder including a casing having front and rear walls and one side wall and one end wall and open at the remaining side and end, a common pivot extending transversely of the casing adjacent the open end for mounting a pluralit Y of keys to permit by a throw of the casing, the swinging of the keys through the open side and end of the casing to a position exposed therefrom, means at the open end of the casing for causing the keys to assume predetermined spaced radial relations when thrown to the exposed position and means for frictionally holding the keys in their various positions including a resilient portion of the rear wall normally flexed outwardly and manually slidable means for urging said rear wall inwardly into contact with the keys for gripping the same between the rear and front walls.

12. A key holder including a casing having front and rear walls and one side wall and one end wall and open at the remaining side and end, a common pivot extending trans- Versely of the casing adjacent the open end for mounting a plurality of keys to permit by a throw of the casing, the swinging of the 7 7 keys through the open side and end of the casing to a position exposed therefrom,means at the open end of the casing for causing the keys to assume predetermined spaced radial relations when thrown to the exposed position and means for frietionally holding the keys in their various positions including a resilient portion of the rear wall normally flexed outwardly and manually slidable means for urging said rear wall inwardly into contact with the keys for gripping the same between the rear and front walls, said latter means consisting of a headed portion of the pivot protruding from the rear wall and a slotted slide between the rear wall and the head of the pivot having inclined wedge surfaces BOZHIDAR M. YANKOVITCH. 

